Circuit-continuing device



Patented May 5, 1925.

UNITED `STATES HARRY A. DOUGLAS, OF BRONSON, MICHIGAN.

CIRCUIT-CONTINUING- DEVICE.

Application filed March 13, 1919. Serial No. 282,450,

To @ZZ fio/0m if' may conce/vi:

Be it known that I, Hanni. A. Dominas, a citizen of the United States, residing at lfronson, in the county of Branch and State of Michigan, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in CircuitContinning Devices, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description.

My invention relates to circuit continuing devices of the class employing shells which serve to assemble contact carriers in circuit continuing relation. These contact carriers may, for example, be in the nature of incandescent lamps and terminal plugs for including the lamps in circuit, the shells holding the lamps and plugs in proper relation for this purpose.

In accordance with my invention I malte the pins depressible into the plug carrying them to an extent to disengage the pins from the shell whereupon the plug and shell may be separated, there being a spring or springs normally pressing the pins to their outward positions. This construction enables me to employ passages or holes conforming in shape to the shape of the pins and snugly receiving the pins to effect firm engagement between the shell and plug and making this engagement separable without the formation of the usual angular bayonet slots that were hitherto required in the shell where rigidly mounted pins were employed. Each pin is desirably held in assembly with the plug carrying it by means of the spring that presses the pin outwardly. In the preferred embodiment of the invention each piu has a spring individual thereto. Each of these springs is preferably anchored at one end to the plug and is attached at its other end to the corresponding pin whereby the pins and plug are assembled.

I Will explain my invention more fully by reference to the accompanying drawings showing different embodiments thereof and in which Fig. l is a side View of a circuit continuing device embodying the invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the shell and outer contact carrier or plug in separated relation; Fig. 3 is a sectional view showing the preferred arrangement for assembling a contact carrier or plug, a pin, and the spring for outwardly pressing the pin, and Fig. i illustrates a modification of the structure shown in Fig. 3.

Lilie parts are indicated by similar characters of reference throughout the different figures.

The contact carrier l is shown in the form. of a single pole plug. This plug is provided with one or two terminals 2 for receiving a conductor or conductors leading from a source of current. Each ter1ninal is hollowed out at its forward end to recelve a spring pressed contact 4l. This contact carrier or plug l carries two pins 5, each outwardly pressed by a spring C.

In the preferred embodiment of the `invention I employ one spring for cach pin and such spring desirably has either ,the arrangement of Fig. 3 or Fig. Ll. In these ligures the pin shown in each is hollow and has a reduced outer end conforming iu diameter to the diameter of the spring G whose outer end is tightly received in `the pin 5 to be permanently assembled therewith. The inner end of each spring shown in Figures 3 and 4t is anchored to the plug or contact carrier l. In Figure 3 the inner end of the spring is enlarged to have anchoring engagement of an obvious frictional type with the inner end of the wall of the hole in which the pin 5 is adapted to move. In the construction of Figure 4f, instead of enlarging the inner end of the spring, the hole in which the pin moves has a reduced inner extension in which the inner end of the spring is tightly received to secure the plug and spring together by frictional contact of the latter with the wall of said reduced inner extension of the hole. In each of these ways the springs not only perform the function of Aoutavardly tin-listing 'the pin, but the further function of effecting their own assembly with the plug and the assembly of the pins with the plug also. No insetting formations need be formed upon or carried by the plug to limit the extent to which the pins may be outwardly thrust, the springs themselves defining' the extent of such outward pin movement.

The plug in the invention illustrated is receivable in a shell 1l upon a sullicient depression of the pins into the plug. These pins, instead of engaging the usual bayonet slots in the shell are snugly receivable in the formations or openings. l2 whereby the shell and plug are prevented from having material relative movement. When the plug has been assembled with the shell by the reception of the pins 5 in openings l2 the contact 4; is in position to be engaged by the contact 13 upon the inner end of the base of the incandescent lamp lil, this lamp base constituting a second contact carrier which is assembled with the shell and held thereby in circuit relation with the first contact carrier l.

It will be observed that by frictionally securing the springs and pins together in the manner indicated these elements constitute in efl'ect a single unit for quick and easy assembly and disassembly with andfrom the plug, and by frictionally securing the springs in the plugs they cannot: Well become accidentally lost therefrom.

l claim:

l. In a circuit connector, a pin adapted to be received in an opening in a plug, and a spring for projecting saidpin into a position to be engageable with a passage in a shell adapted to receive the plug whereby the plug and shell may be maintained in assembly, said spring l'iaving direct frictional securance to the pin to provide a single unit for assembly andvdisassernbly with and from the plug and having direct frictional securance to the plug when in the opening' to prevent its accidental disassembly therefrom.

2. In a circuit connector, a tubular pin adapted to be received in an opening in a plug, and a coil spring for projecting said pin into a position to be engageable with a passage in a shell adapted to receive the plug whereby the plug and shell may be maintained in assembly, the respective `end portions of said coil spring, being received in the tubular pin and the opening in the plug and being respectively expansive radially into direct. frictional. securing engagement with the pin and the wallof the plug opening.v

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my naine this 4th day of March A. D., 1919.

HARRY A. DOUGLAS. 

